Two hours and 54 minutes. Less than that until all the commentary begins.

I'm a nervous wreak. I'm at work, I'm supposed to be doing so much since all of last week I was actually in Alberta to catch games 3 and 6 and you'd figure I would be guilted into working and instead I'm clicking on all the hockey blogs to make myself an even more nervous wreak.

It all comes down to this. Throw out every cliche imagineable. Every word of encouragement. Either way I'll be crying tonight. Hopefully tears of joy when I see Jason Smith hoist the Cup.

I've believed in this team all season (I know everyone says that NOW when it's convenient but I have my blogs as proof). I believe in them now. I believe they can and will win. But the nerves, they just need to get it done. They need to win. I can't say they deserve it because you get this far any team deserves it. I do believe they deserve it more.

It'll be an interesting game. The first period will kill me. We'll get an idea on who's there to play like it's the last game and who's just going through the motions.

This team, this beloved Oilers team of mine has played amazing hockey. They've even gotten some of my co-workers here cheering for them and they HATE the Oilers (damn canuck fans).

Well Mr Mirtle the season has concluded. Did it end the way I wanted to, nope. But there is always next year. Could I watched Wesley's kids crying in the stands again probably not. I am father that is cruel..

The OPilers did the NW conf proud. Will see how draft day treats us...

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About Me

A sportswriter at The Globe and Mail, James covers the NHL and the game of hockey. He is a member of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association, a radio and TV analyst with TSN and was the NHL network manager at SB Nation from 2008 to 2010. A graduate of Thompson Rivers and Ryerson universities, James grew up in Kamloops, B.C. — one of Canada's great hockey cities — and was a season ticket holder in the Blazers' glory years.

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